Survival | S.W.A.T. Magazine

THE GET OUTTA DODGE TRUCK: Loaded for Survival

The truck before … The phrase “Get Outta Dodge” (G.O.D.) originated in Dodge City, Kansas, during the wild days of the 1870s. The Santa Fe Trail gave way to buffalo hunters, then to cattle drives, all of which led to lots of lawlessness. Marshals… Read More

SHOTGUN SAVVY: The Perfect Survival Gun?

A shotgun is a great multi-purpose weapon. The amount and variety of firearms available today is staggering. Some are designed for specific uses. When choosing a firearm to fill multiple roles, you often find that only one type of firearm will work for one… Read More

AGAINST ALL ODDS: A Tale of Two Bivvies

SOL Escape Pro Bivvy next to Escape Lite Bivvy. Newer eight-ounce bivvy retains more heat and covers up like a mummy bag. SOL (Survive Outdoors Longer) has come out with their newest offering to the bivvy market—the Escape Pro Bivvy. Although SOL is not… Read More

AIRBORNE BUGOUT: Winging It to Safety When the World Goes Sideways

Ours is a surprisingly fragile civilization. We are never more than a phone call or headline away from chaos. Photo: Diana Parkhouse It all started with a text message from his wife that read, “Check news.” He caught something about an unexpected seismic event… Read More

AGAINST ALL ODDS: Portable Emergency Stoves

Left to right: Siege Stove with Ikea cutlery container and proprietary collapsible stove, Minuteman Rocket Stove, and Überleben Stöker Flatpack Stove. Each stove is fed in completely different ways, and each feed method has positives and negatives, depending on needs. More survival and camp… Read More

PRIORITIES FOR PREPPERS: From Gasoline to Gardens

Dry seasoned firewood for the upcoming winter. I recently ran into an acquaintance at a gun show. He moved here a couple years ago from the east coast, bought 60 acres and a nice house up in the hills, and got interested in preparedness. Read More

OFFBEAT: C’mon Baby, Light My (Survival) Fire

U.S. Air Force officer builds fire to help combat frostbite and hypothermia during SERE exercise. Knowing how to build a fire is one of the most important survival skills. Photo: U.S Air Force The ability to start a fire is a key factor in… Read More

AGAINST ALL ODDS Long-Range Throwsticks

Author set up makeshift range to practice throwing technique in order to prevent losing kylie in an outdoor environment. Well protected, kylies still have a tendency to move over the barrier and strike the walls. Drywall on end of kylie is proof of this. Read More

AGAINST ALL ODDS: Shomer-Tec Travel-Ready Gear

Shomer-Tec products sure to meet traveler’s needs: Covert Coffee, Escape Stick, Covert Coin, and Ceramic Folding Razor Knife. A company that has caught my eye over the last couple of years claims to specialize in “merchandise for those looking for law enforcement and military… Read More

AGAINST ALL ODDS: VSSL Survival Kits

A plethora of survival kits are on the market catering to a series of unique needs. Companies like ESEE, Wise Food, and SOS Survival Products create small and large kits that can keep a user safe, dry, and warm. While that is the basic purpose of… Read More